Three to See: Andrew W.K. parties hard for the holidays at Assembly

A band perpetually poised for a big breakout, Fate Under Fire has spent the past five years as a mainstay of the local-music scene. Led by vocalist David James, the band cranks out anthemic and festive California-flavored alternative rock in the vein of bands such as Jimmy Eat World and the Fray.

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Another mainstay, “Rock For Tots,” is now in its eighth year, serving as an annual rock-and-roll toy drive for the Salvation Army. Attendees are asked to bring a toy to donate – in exchange, you get a raffle ticket for a prize from one of several local sponsors. Local rock acts Hero’s Last Mission, Lonely Kings, I Wish We Were Robots, Horseneck and Fudi join the party.

It would take quite awhile to list of all the musical projects that were fronted by the late-great Jerry Garcia, guitar wizard of the Grateful Dead. But no rundown would be complete without mention of his Jerry Garcia Band.

Melvin Seals assumed the top spot after Garcia’s death in 1995, and nearly 20 years later, Seals still uses his manically soulful and funkified blues touch on the Hammond B3 to keep JGB as relevant to Northern California neo-Deadheads as they are on the national jam-band circuit. The band hosts “A Very Jerry Christmas” at the lovable “Foothill Fillmore” along with guests Achilles Wheel.

Absolutely nothing about Andrew W.K. makes any sense. When he released the booze-fueled, metal-pop hybrid “I Get Wet” in 2001, he had the look of a gimmicky, flash-in-the-pan who had perfected a manic, first-pumping schtick beloved by the beer-bonging crowd. But few could have anticipated W.K.’s staying power or zen party-time appeal.

He’s continued releasing music (including an album of solo piano improvisations inspired by his car), hosted the game show “Destroy Build Destroy” on Cartoon Network, and delivered motivational speeches on college campuses. In other words, he’s planted a flag in the previously unexplored middle ground between Kid Rock and Henry Rollins. Sunday’s “Party Hard Holiday” show is one of his “solo music” appearances.

Get your tickets now, since the island-reggae, funk rock of Pepper always seems to pack the room when it makes one of its regular stops at Ace of Spaces. 1417 R St., Sacramento. $20. www.aceofspadessac.com